25 March 2025 Current Affairs

CJI Inquire Into Justice Verma’s Case.

CJI Forms Three-Member Committee to Probe Allegations Against Justice Varma

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna has constituted a three-member committee to investigate allegations that a large amount of cash was discovered at the residence of Delhi High Court Judge, Justice Yashwant Varma, during a recent fire. This move aims to ensure transparency and maintain the credibility of the judiciary.

Key Points:

1. Committee Members:

• Punjab and Haryana Chief Justice Sheel Nagu
• Himachal Pradesh Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia
• Karnataka High Court Judge, Justice Anu Sivaraman

2. Reason for Enquiry:

• Allegations regarding the discovery of cash at Justice Varma’s home during a blaze prompted an initial report from Delhi Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya, which led to the formation of this committee.

3. Judicial Work Halted:

• Chief Justice Upadhyaya has been directed not to assign any judicial work to Justice Varma.

4. Confidential Procedure:

• The probe is termed a “confidential enquiry for institutional credibility” under the CJI’s supervision.
• Justice Varma will have the opportunity to present his defense before the committee.

5. Outcome of Probe:

• If the allegations are substantiated, the CJI may advise Justice Varma to resign or seek voluntary retirement.
• If Justice Varma refuses, the CJI will inform the President and Prime Minister, initiating the removal process.

6. Transparency Measures:

• The enquiry report and Justice Varma’s response will be uploaded on the Supreme Court website for public transparency.

7.Transfer Proposal Controversy:

• A proposal to transfer Justice Varma to the Allahabad High Court was met with strong opposition from the Allahabad High Court Bar Association.

Turkish Court Order Arrest Of Edrogen’s Rival

Turkish Court Arrests Istanbul Mayor and Erdogan Rival Ekrem Imamoglu

A Turkish court formally arrested Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a key rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on March 23, 2025, on corruption charges. His detention is widely seen as a political move to sideline a major contender ahead of the 2028 presidential elections, sparking massive protests and raising concerns about democracy in Turkey.

Key Points:

1. Formal Arrest and Charges:

• Imamoglu was detained following a raid on his residence earlier in the week.
• He was formally arrested and jailed pending trial on corruption charges.

2. Mass Protests and Political Fallout:

• His arrest triggered Turkey’s largest protests in over a decade.
• More than 340 people were arrested during the protests.

3. Political Motivation Allegations:

• His imprisonment is widely seen as a move to eliminate him as a threat to Erdogan in the 2028 presidential elections.
• Government officials deny political motives and claim judicial independence.

4. Support from Opposition and CHP Primary:

• Over 1.5 million members of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) participated in a symbolic primary to endorse Imamoglu as their presidential candidate.
• “Solidarity boxes” were set up nationwide to gather public support.

5. Criticism from Legal and International Bodies:

• Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas criticized the lack of confidentiality in the legal proceedings.
• The Council of Europe condemned the arrest and demanded Imamoglu’s immediate release.

6. International Reaction and Analysis:

• Analysts suggest Erdogan is taking extreme measures to eliminate his biggest rival.
• The EU and U.S. appear uninterested in scrutinizing Turkey due to other global concerns.

7. Other Legal Challenges and University Degree Revocation:

• Imamoglu was already appealing a 2022 conviction for insulting Turkey’s Supreme Electoral Council.
• His university degree was nullified due to alleged irregularities, potentially disqualifying him from running for president.

8. Background:

• Imamoglu was elected Mayor of Istanbul in 2019, ending the 25-year dominance of Erdogan’s party in the city.
• Erdogan’s party had previously pushed to void the 2019 municipal election results.

India Imposes Anti Dumping Duties On Chinies Goods.

India Imposes Anti-Dumping Duty on Five Chinese Goods to Protect Domestic Industry

India has imposed anti-dumping duties on five Chinese products, including vacuum flasks and aluminium foil, to safeguard domestic manufacturers from cheap imports. These duties, recommended by the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), aim to ensure fair competition and prevent harm to local industries.

Key Points:

1. Products and Duties Imposed:

• Soft Ferrite Cores: Up to 35% duty on CIF (cost, insurance, freight) value.
• Vacuum Insulated Flask: USD 1,732 per tonne anti-dumping duty.
• Aluminium Foil: Provisional duty of up to USD 873 per tonne for six months.
• Trichloro Isocyanuric Acid: Duty between USD 276 to USD 986 per tonne on imports from China and Japan.
• Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) Paste Resin: Duty ranging from USD 89 to USD 707 per tonne on imports from China, Korea RP, Malaysia, Norway, Taiwan, and Thailand.

2. Duration of Duties:

• Duties on Soft Ferrite Cores, vacuum flasks, and Trichloro Isocyanuric Acid will be levied for five years.
• Aluminium foil will have a provisional duty for six months.

3. Purpose of Anti-Dumping Duties:

• Protect domestic industries from injury due to cheap imports.
• Ensure fair trading practices and create a level-playing field for local producers.

4. Anti-Dumping Process:

• Anti-dumping investigations are conducted to assess the impact of low-priced imports.
• Duties are imposed under the World Trade Organization (WTO) framework to prevent unfair trade practices.

5. India-China Trade Relations:

• China is India’s second-largest trading partner.
• India has expressed concerns over the widening trade deficit with China, which stood at USD 85 billion in 2023-24.

6. Previous Measures:

• India has imposed anti-dumping duties on several products earlier to counter cheap imports from China and other countries.

Sangeet Kalanadhi Award For Music Academy.

Violinist R K Shriramkumar Awarded Sangita Kalanidhi for 2025 by Music Academy

Renowned violinist R K Shriramkumar has been awarded the prestigious Sangita Kalanidhi for 2025 by the Music Academy, while Carnatic singer Shyamala Venkateswaran and senior tavil artist Thanjavur R Govindarajan received the Sangita Kala Acharya award. The Academy also honoured distinguished figures in allied performing arts and research.

Key Points:

1. Sangita Kalanidhi Award 2025:

• Awarded to R K Shriramkumar, a leading figure in Carnatic music.
• He belongs to the Rudrapatnam lineage and trained under R K Venkatarama Sastry and Sangita Kalanidhi D K Jayaraman.
• Accompanied legends like Semmangudi R Srinivasa Iyer, T Brinda, M S Subbulakshmi, and D K Pattammal.
• Recognised for his expertise in the Sangita Sampradaya Pradarsini of Subbarama Dikshitar.
• His selection coincides with the 250th birth anniversary of Muthuswami Dikshitar in 2025.

2. Sangita Kala Acharya Award:

• Shyamala Venkateswaran: Former A-Top graded artist at All India Radio and mentor for young talent.
• Thanjavur R Govindarajan: Senior-most tavil artist with a career spanning 60 years in Nagaswaram-Tavil ensembles.

3. TTK and Musicologist Awards:

• Madambi Subramania Namboothiri: Noted authority in Kathakali music and former faculty at Kerala Kalamandalam.
• J T Jeyaraaj Krishnan and Jaysri Jeyaraaj Krishnan: Renowned veena artists.

4. Other Recognitions:

• The Music Academy also confers the Nritya Kalanidhi Award to recognise excellence in allied performing arts and research.

Tavasya Frigate Launched

Stealth Frigate 'Tavasya' Launched at Goa Shipyard, Strengthening India’s Naval Power

The last of the four follow-on Krivak-class stealth frigates, ‘Tavasya,’ was launched into the water on March 22, 2025, at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) in the presence of Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth. This marks a significant step toward India’s goal of self-reliance and advancing defence technology.

Key Points:

1. Stealth Frigate Launch:

• Tavasya, the second frigate constructed at GSL under technology transfer from Russia, was launched on March 22, 2025.
• Minister Sanjay Seth highlighted the frigate as a milestone in India’s defence ambitions.
• The first ship, Triput, was launched in July 2024 and is scheduled for delivery to the Navy in 2026, with Tavasya following six months later.

2. Ship Specifications:

• Length: 124.8 meters, Width: 15.2 meters, Draught: 4.5 meters.
• Displacement: Approximately 3,600 tonnes.
• Maximum Speed: 28 knots.

3. India-Russia Agreement:

• In October 2016, India and Russia signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement for four follow-on stealth frigates.
• Two frigates were directly imported, and two were manufactured by GSL with Russian technology transfer.
• A $1-billion deal was signed for direct purchases, and a $500-million deal was signed with Rosoboronexport in November 2018 for materials, design, and specialist assistance.

4. Ships Built and Commissioned:

• Tushil: First of the two frigates manufactured in Russia, commissioned on December 9, 2024, at Kaliningrad, and reached its home port in Karwar on February 14, 2025.
• Tamal: Second Russian-built frigate, currently in advanced trials, expected to be commissioned in June 2025.

5. Indigenisation and Future Scope:

• Triput and Tavasya feature a high percentage of indigenous equipment, weapons, and sensors, boosting local defence production and generating employment.
• Tamal will be the last warship commissioned outside India, as the country now designs and constructs its own warships.
• Engines for all ships were supplied by Zorya-Mashproekt Corporation of Ukraine.

Naval Exercise Varun Held Between India And France.

VARUNA 2025 Strengthens India-France Naval Partnership in Indo-Pacific

The bilateral naval exercise VARUNA 2025, held from March 19 to 22, 2025, brought together the Indian and French Navies to enhance tactical and operational proficiency across multiple domains. The exercise aimed to strengthen maritime cooperation and promote stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Key Points:

1. Scope and Objective:

• Focused on improving operational coordination and jointmanship between India and France.
• Reinforced commitment to a rules-based maritime order and addressing contemporary security challenges.

2. Advanced Air Defence Drills:

• Rafale-M of the French Navy and MiG-29K of the Indian Navy simulated realistic combat scenarios.
• Enhanced the ability to jointly counter aerial threats.

3. Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Exercises:

• Involved Indian submarines and anti-submarine frigates from both navies.
• Deepened understanding and proficiency in underwater domain awareness and tactics.

4. Surface Warfare Operations:

• Featured complex coordinated manoeuvres and simulated engagements.
• Demonstrated combined combat power and seamless integration of participating fleets.

5. Replenishment At Sea (RAS):

• Fleet tankers from both countries conducted replenishment exercises.
• Proved logistical interoperability and mutual support for sustained operations.

6. Strategic Significance:

• Higher degree of operational coordination achieved compared to previous editions.
• Facilitated exchange of best practices, strengthening operational doctrines.
• Since inception, VARUNA has been a cornerstone of India-France defence ties, underscoring a shared commitment to maritime security and protecting global sea lanes.

Janpith Award Announced

Vinod Kumar Shukla Receives Jnanpith Award 2024, Calls It a Responsibility

Renowned poet-writer Vinod Kumar Shukla, aged 88, was awarded the 59th Jnanpith Award, India’s highest literary honour. He expressed that the recognition brings a sense of responsibility and reflected on his long literary journey.

Key Points:

1. Award Announcement:

• Vinod Kumar Shukla, from Raipur, Chhattisgarh, was announced as the recipient of the 2024 Jnanpith Award.
• He is the first writer from Chhattisgarh to receive this honour.

2. Shukla’s Reaction:

• He expressed that he had much to write but could only capture a fraction of his experiences.
• Acknowledged that the award gives him a greater sense of responsibility.

3. Early Life and Background:

• Born in 1937 in Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh.
• His literary journey began in 1971 with his first poetry collection Lagbhag Jaihind.

4. Notable Works:

• Renowned for poetry collections like Kavita Se Lambi Kavita.
• Acclaimed novels include Deewar Mein Ek Khidki Rehti Thi and Naukar Ki Kameez (adapted into a film).

5. Other Recognitions:

• Recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Award and several other literary honours.

6. Reflection on Writing:

• Despite his desire to write more, he admitted that keeping pace with life at his age is difficult.

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